Method for applying elastomer and a cable to a fabric layer

Abstract

In a method for supplying elastomer and a cable embedded in the elastomer to a fabric layer of a garment or a bandage, the elastomer is applied in a flowable state to the fabric layer via a nozzle and the cable is applied to the fabric layer via the same nozzle simultaneously with the elastomer, at least in some phases such that the elastomer encases at least part of the cable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method wherein elastomer ( 4 ) with a cable ( 5 ) embedded in the elastomer ( 4 ) is applied onto a fabric layer ( 6 ) of a garment or a bandage including the following step:
 the elastomer is applied to the fabric layer ( 6 ) in a deformable state via a nozzle ( 1 ),   the cable ( 5 ) is applied to the fabric layer ( 6 ) via the same nozzle ( 1 ) in phases at the same time together with the elastomer ( 4 ) in such a way that, in one phase, the elastomer ( 4 ) surrounds the cable ( 5 ) at least partially,   in another phase only the cable ( 5 ) but no elastomer ( 4 ) is applied via the nozzle ( 1 ) to the fabric layer ( 6 ),   
       wherein an end ( 5   a ,  5   b ) of the cable ( 5 ) that has already exited the nozzle ( 1 ) is fixed to the fabric layer ( 6 ), 
       and the fixing of the end ( 5   a ,  5   b ) of the cable ( 5 ) which has exited the nozzle ( 1 ) occurs before the method step in which the elastomer ( 4 ) and the cable ( 5 ) are applied at least in phases at the same time. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer ( 4 ) and the cable ( 5 ) exit the nozzle ( 1 ) via the same nozzle opening. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the other phase, in which only the cable ( 5 ) but no elastomer ( 4 ) is applied via the nozzle ( 1 ) to the fabric layer ( 6 ) is at the beginning or at the end of a method step in which the cable ( 5 ) exits the nozzle ( 1 ). 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cable ( 5 ) is moved by a drive arrangement ( 13 ) at a speed which corresponds to the relative speed between the nozzle ( 1 ) and the fabric layer ( 6 ). 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cable ( 5 ) is elastic with an elasticity with which the cable ( 5 ) is expandable by a value of at least 1.6 times. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the elastic cable ( 5 ) used consists of a rubber core ( 14 ) and a surrounding metal net ( 15 ). 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cable ( 5 ) is electrically conductive. 
     
     
         8 . A garment or a bandage with a fabric layer produced in accordance with the method of  claim 1 , wherein the end ( 5   a ,  5   b ) of the cable ( 5 ), preferably both ends of the cable ( 5 ), are free of elastomer ( 4 ) and the cable section between the ends ( 5   a ,  5   b ) of the cable ( 5 ) are covered by elastomer ( 4 ). 
     
     
         9 . A nozzle for the common application of elastomer and a cable on a fabric layer of a garment or a bandage which is produced according to the method of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle body ( 2 ) of the nozzle ( 1 ) has a first supply opening ( 7 ) for the admission of elastomer ( 4 ) and a second supply opening ( 8 ) for the admission of the cable ( 5 ), wherein the first and the second supply openings ( 7 ,  8 ) lead to the interior ( 3 ) of the nozzle body ( 2 ) which is provided with an exit opening ( 10 ) for the elastomer ( 4 ) and the cable ( 5 ). 
     
     
         10 . The nozzle according to  claim 9 , wherein a tubular guide member ( 16 ) is integrated into the nozzle body ( 2 ) of the nozzle ( 1 ) for guiding the cable ( 5 ). 
     
     
         11 . The garment or bandage according to  claim 8 , wherein the cable ( 5 ) is elastic with an elasticity with which the cable ( 5 ) is expandable by a value of at least 1.6 times. 
     
     
         12 . The garment or bandage according to  claim 8 , wherein the elastic cable ( 5 ) consists of a rubber core ( 14 ) and a surrounding metal net ( 15 ). 
     
     
         13 . The garment or bandage according to  claim 8 , wherein the cable ( 5 ) is electrically conductive.